Tuesday, January 31, 2012

P.D. Crumbaker recently shared that my last post gave her an idea for a project she wants to do in her community. I thought I would share a project I coordinated in my community. The publication, "I am Clarks Creek, was the final product of a collaboration between Puyallup Watershed Council, Puyallup School District, Washington State University, Master Gardeners and Conservation District, the National Park Service, WA State Dept of Ecology and 2 very talented artists Jackie Brookner and Susan Leibovitz Steinman. The students who lived in close proximity to Clarks Creek met in their classroom with representatives from the Conservation District to learn about the creek and how to be a good neighbor to the Creek. The following week they met with scientists and conservationist for a field trip to the creek and surrounding watershed to learn about the resources and ecology of the creek. Students then participated in various art projects and journaled what it meant to be a good neighbor to the creek. Susan and Jackie then selected choice pieces to illustrate this book. The books were then distributed to the community members who lived along the Creek and sent copies to all the school libraries in the Puyallup School District.

The second book is one of my very favorites - "Wetlands" written and illustrated by Nikki McClure, a well known artist from Oregon. I love the woodcut/ speedy cut look of the illustrations! Hope this further inspires you P.D.

Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Yes, it is true. I am on every one's naughty list because I want a good old fashioned snowstorm. I want the kind of snowstorm that makes everyone just stop. I want to hear the silence that follows. The deafening roar that we hear from the freeway would stop. The only sound would be the passing of the snowplow or the crunch under foot as I explore the property (camera in hand.) I suppose I could be satisfied with the little bit that fell on Monday, but if it is true - the weatherman says a 'good one' is a coming. Just one good snowstorm, that's all I need.

Thursday, January 12, 2012

My muse whispered in my ear... Adventure is out there. It is in my studio too. She and I put our heads together and imagined and experimented, then cut and pasted and played all evening. It is a simple book for others to follow if they want to have an adventure out there. Travel directions are inside on the black folds in white ink. Will you see the same colors?

Sunday, January 8, 2012

Earlier today we left the comfort of the fire and ventured east of the Cascades to open spaces where the sun almost always shines. We hoped to see some snow. We traveled the backroads searching for what there was to see, open to whatever presented itself. The only photograph I missed was of a bent over old man checking his mailbox (Sunday paper perhaps?) His down jacket patched with frayed duct tape, feathers sticking out around the edges. I would have liked to photograph that frugal man. The shadows were long when we stopped at the hilltop cemetary. We found the oldest settlers there. Their names matching the back roads we had traveled. We turned west to watch the pink leave the peaks on our home bound way. As we drove into our place there was the moon at the end of the lane welcoming us home, refrains from Clair de lune in the air.

About Me

Who am I?
I am an ordinary soul who sees life streaming by like a river to the sea of days. I am currently wandering upstream in search of the source, within and without, practicing the art of present tense. Observation and wonder my steady companions as I explore all within this realm. Wander with me if you will.